Multiunit panel



' 1,564,778 a GRoss ET AL Dec'. s, 1925.

MULTIUNIT PANEL l Filed Feb 423, 1921. 3 sheets-'sheet 1 Dec. 8, 1925. 1.564.778

B. GROSS ET AL MULTIUNIT PANEL Y Filed Feb, 25, 1921 3 sheets-sheet MNHN" 1 mmuh Dec. s, 1925.

B. GROSS El' AL MULTIUN IT PANEL Filed Feb; 23, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Il il /l/ l//l/ l l .Parenti/alaba. salsas. y y y ll'JiS'uTED :BENJAMIN GnossAND ROBERT 'n.zGoELLER, or NEW YORK, N. v., nssreNoRs To GEN' ERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

I NULTIUNIT PANEL; I l

A.application met rbinaryiaa, A1921. seriaiNq. 447,230.

To all whom it may concern.' l

Be it known that we-BENJAM1N' Gnoss, a 'citizen of the United States, and-a. resident of New York, county,A of Bronx, and Stateof New York, andRoBER'r A. GOELLER,

a citizen of the United "States, and a resident of New York, county of Bronx, and State 'of'New York, have invented certam' new and useful Improvements in Multiunitl Panels, of which the following is a specification. 1 l t This invention relates to-electricconltrol panels and has for its object the provision of a panel of such character that Vit maybe ,Y built up to any desired capacity by the,V

additions of stock parts, 'the arrangement and construction being such` that all the dee sirr1 `e features of high grade made-,to-

. orcw L' vpanels' are incorporatedinto. the .ap-

'The invention makes .possible quantity production'of high grade electric-v control panels and enables the capacity of; the panel to be readily' increased asneeds-l` paratus.

may require by adding 4parts without interthe vbase or bases.` The bus-bars are arranged between the common unit bases and bases ofthe switch mechanism, an arrangement that `permits the switch bases to be readily removed or installed or other switch u-nits to be'added to the 'panel' without inter- `of illustration bein eing with the already installed mechanism;-

Other objects and features of novelty of the` invention will be pointed outv in the detailed description thereof vand others will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming part of this specification` Fig. 1 is. an elevation-of oneembodiment of the invention, the panel for convenience shown with its lower edge at the right and side of the sheet.

Fig. 2 is a section on the planes of4 the irregular line A-B-C-D on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the plane of line 3 3 on` Fig. 2, parts being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to the lower part -of/ Fig. 2 but showing a different form of switc Fig. -5 is a jdisassembly plan with some of the parts shown in section. l

In the drawings like characters of referencev designate like several views.

C and having," suitable doors 10 Aand 10b more or lessi'conventional.y

parts throughout' the,

Supported Avsithi-Iithe Gabinete-T is aVA base V11 on which the panel '..mechanisms are P AT E Tf 0 t 60 The apparatus ormingthe subjectoiftli'e".l present invention is shown as mounted with' in a suitable cabinetAlO of such diniension's` as to'allowwiring space around the apparatus, the cabinet being provided with a cover 65 through Vwhich access 'maybe had toithe enmounted or supported. f."1 `h is base lisprefer- 'i I ably made of 'metal so as toi provide a rigid .support and for convenience" of `description .1s termed the master base.V Arranged at the four 'corners of the base are angle iron bracketsgl2 having turned' under extensions 12%'jat ,one Sldeby whlch they are secured x' .jtofthelmaster, base, the extensions serving tering with the apparatus already installed'.

alsof as means to space the master base from theb'ack ofgztlre cabinet .to lprovide an air space therebetween. yMeans permitting the Vmaster base tovbe detachably secured to the cabinet"areprWidedv at theco-rners and conveniently consists o plates' l13 bifurcated at one end to enable them tov straddle screw bolts 14 or the likeprojecting from the back of the cabinet. Overlying and secured to these plates are footdike extensions 121D of the corner-irons 12.'- v

Adapted forl suitable securement on the master base 11 are sub or common unit bases 15 which are substantial duplicates so that they may bejinterchanged. These unit bases are adapted to support individual bases 16 which carry suitable control elements or switches. In the drawings the subbases 15 are shown as supporting a pair of switch bases 16 disposed in-opposite relation there on. In order to provide for ready and accurate mounting of the switch bases 16 on the subbases 15, the subbase 15 isstepped as at 17 to provide a shoulder against which a shoulder near one end of the switch base 16 may abut. The base 16 may be centered on the subbase by any suitable .means as by a pil-lar 18 (Fig. 4) rising froml the subv'base 15 and entering a socketin the other base 16.' Screws 19 secure the base'lG to the subbasewhile the latter is secured to the master base 11 by screws 20. The bases 15 and 16 are preferably of molded material and molded into the bases are suitable screw sockets and screw studs to enable proper se- ,curement of the `various parts.

Supported 'on the switch bases 16 are switches S `of any suitable or preferred type, .the drawings showing the rotary type in Fig. 4- and the toggle or tumbler type in vthe other figures, the apparatus as a whole, however, being quite independent of the type of switch used. Mounted on the subbases 15 are in the present assembly three bus-bars pole typesince this is the form commonly employed. t

The bus bars 25 are arranged in spaced relation on the subbase. 'Ihe switch bases 16 are undercut to receive the bus bars and the undercuts are wide enough to enable bus bars of different sizes or capacity to be used with switch bases or units of a given size. Electrically connected to the underlying bus-bar is a contact 27 having a bent-up wing 28 with which a switch blade is adapted to be electrically connected as .will be readily understood. AThe contact is stepped and 'suitably'secured to the switch base, the rise of the contact from the bus-bar being through a slot or opening in the base. The connection between the bus-bar and contact 'is preferably effected through the instrumentality of a screw stud molded int'o and projectin from the subbase 15, the stud passing t rough the bus-bar. 'A nut 38 on the stud terminal completes the connection.

Opposite the contacts 27 at thc other end ofthe switch base isa contact 31 having a wing 3() similar to the wing 28 and for a similar urpose as will be readily understood. 1intending from the contact 'is a fusetcrminal clip 32.

-Mounted on the subbases in spaced relation tothe contacts 31 on the switch. bases 16' are, contacts 33 having wings 34 similar to the wings 32 for receiving the fuse-terminal.

`These contacts 33 are provided with means 35 for securing circuit. wires. The contacts 31 and 33 are arranged above the switch base proper near the door of the cabinet so as to render the fuses F more accessible than 1' has heretofore beenthe case in other panels and are supported Aon step-like elevations which rise from the bases land 16 respectively. The channel between these elevawith the switch units already installed. In-

just described is an important feature off the invention.

The subbase 15 adjacent the contact 33 is provided with a barrier flange 36 which is slotted opposite the means 35, the' slots in the flange serving to confine the circuit wires in definite position with respect to the securing means 35 and to each other. Another advantage of providing a slotted barrier flange is that barrier linings, hereinafter more fully referred to, may be seated on the .80

top of the flange without any thought being- 'taken of the wires as has heretofore been necessary when the barrier lining itself was slotted.

Connection between' the neutral 4middle 85 bus-bar and switch is made by contacts 27 having wings 28, the contacts being supported on the switch base 16 in spaced relation to the contacts 27 and provided -with rabbeted terminals whereby when a palrf? of switch bases 16 is supported on the subbases 15, the adjacent terminals of the contacts'27 maybe electrically connected to thel middle bus-bar by' common securing 95 means.

The construction thus far described provides a` panel. which may be built up as'future needsmay require without interfering asmuch has the bus-bars lie in contact with the subbases 15 and are of a length suflicient to accommodate future expansion of the panel it is only necessary in providing an additional switch unit to properly7 align the switch base on the subbase, this align- `ment being easily effected by means of the centering pillar 18 which enters into an opening in the switch base. The base 16 is then secured to lthe subba'se l5 by means of the screws 18 and 19. Electrical connections with the bus-bars and the contacts 27'and 27 are then readily efl'ci-ti-d in the manner already pointed out. t

The cabinet 10 and master metal base 11 are made preferably of-a size to take care of future expansion of the panel. The subbases 15 are suitably secured to the master base 11 and extend throughout the width of the master base 11. In the drawings the master. base 11 is shown as supporting a pluralityI of subbases 15 which are of a width equal to that of the switch bases but if desired the subbase may be made Wide enough to support a plurality of adjacent switch bases. The switch bases 16'may also be made of a size to take careof a plurality of switches. In short, the sub and switch bases may be made in any convenient` size andare preferably of molded material.

-The terminals of the bus bars 25 are supnssanvs ported on insulated platesGO which are suitablysupported on the master base 11 at.

' y corners of the master base 11. Any convenient means 41 for securing the linings to the angle irons may be provided. These barriers 404 extend into close proximity' to the cover `(fof lthe cabinet and effectually protect the mechanisms of the panel against mechanical injury and also serve` as fire barriers. i

'In' order to further close off the electrical vparts of the apparatus below the switch 'operating means, a coverrpla-te B having barrier walls 45 is provided opposite'the switch mechanism. This cover plate is provided with openings through which the switch The manner of sup-.-

handles 51 project.

- porting the cover, plate will vary with the typeof switch employed. When the Iswitch includes a bracket secured to the switch'A bases 16-the cover may be supported by said v brackets. AThe cover plate is preferably built up from sections beach of which is as wide as the switch base over which it is mounted and of desired length, thus enabling the safety barrier to be built-up aS switch units are added tothe panel. The meeting edges of the plates b are preferably stepped to overlap as shown at c in Fig.'

3 to prevent open spaces due to variations in manufacture'. The outside marginal edges of the plates b are preferably flanged as at 46 to-enable the side and end walls 45 of the barriers to be readily-mounted thereon. The construction above described provides a safety cover which may be built up as the panel is built up" and is an important feature of the invention.

In somel types of switches as in thev rotary type shown in Fig. 4, the safety cover may be supported between the button handle and casing ofthe switch, the button being removable from itsstem to permit the cover to be slipped thereover, the'Y cover shown being a molded structure B.

Itwill be understood that the cabinet is closed by the plate or cover C after the panel has beeninserted within the cabinet and that access may be had to ther panel through doors 10a and l0". The spaces between the panel proper and the ends of the cabinet l0.serve as wire receiving compartments, `the wires being entered through the slots 1n the'barrier flanges- 36 and connected g to the securing means 35.

' While we have shown theV middleorinew .tralbus-bar as arranged betweenthe adjacent ends of the switcl bases and parallel to the other twov bus-bars,the neutral bus- 'bar may be .arrangedv ltransverselyfto said bus-bars' at'4 one endof the panel without departing from the l'fspiritriof .the invention. Such an arrangement' is" preferable when switches of thev singlel polev type are used. A Withsuchaconstruction, one of the fuses-l for each circuit'is placed near the adjacent main bus-bar, andthe `other near the trans`v verse neutral louslbar. This arrangement permits theswitchesl to be arranged in closer relation since they are all of tl1esarne'polarity.. It will also'be understood that a' main control switchand fuses-mayV be in circuit with-the bus bars yat any convenient polig;44

asfat one side of the panel. Otherv arraii'gl= 'l nlents 'and features of construction will readilyioccur to those skilled uinthe art a'nd we therefore intend no limitations except as may be imposed by the appended claims. 1While the inventionl has beend'escribed with considerable particularity it is to be' distinctly understood that-the invention is not limited to lany particular'detail's, it .be-

ing the intention to set forth the scope of 4vthe finventio'n in the appended claims.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what we claim asy newand desire to secure by Letters Patentis: l l 1. In an electriccontrol panel, the combinationl'of a subbase,-a'busbar supported thereon, a switch base detachably mounted on theloase over thebus-bar, said bases having interiitting parts for preventing relative movement between them,spaced` steps.'

rising from each of the bases at adjacent ends, and fuse-supporting means on the steps.

2. In an electric control p'anel the combination of a subbase, a busbar' supported thereon, a switch base detachably mountedv on the base over the bus-bar, said subbase being constructed to form an abutment against which the 'switch'base engages, and spaced fuse supports on the bases in a plane which is spaced from the plane' ofthe switch base. i v

3. IIn, an electric control panel, the com# bination cfa subbase, a lons-barV mounted thereon, a switch base detachably mounted on the subbasev over the bus-bar, said sub- A base being constructed to form anabutment against which the switch base engages, fusesupporting means on said basesgand a slotted :barrier flange rising from the vsulobas'e Vadj acent the fuse-supporting means thereon.

4. In an'electric control panel,the combination of a subbase, a bus-bar mounted on the subbase, a switch base detachably mounted on the subbase over the bus-bar, steps extending from adjacent ends oit the bases and defining a channel between them,

fuse-supporting means `oil-said steps anda.

bination of a 'subbase having a` pair ot steps at one end, a bus-bar supported on said base, a switch base detachably secured to said base with one of its ends in engagement with the rise of the lowest step, the other end overlying the bus-bar, and fuse clips on the secondstep of the base and on the adjacent end of the switch base.

6. In'an electric control panel, the combination of a subbase having a. pair of steps .at one'end, a bus-bar' supported on said base,

afswitch base detachably secured to said base with one of its ends inv engagement with the rise'of the lowest step, the' other endL overlying the bus-bar, fuse clips on the second stepof the baseand on the adjacent end of the switch base, wire securing means connected to the clip on' the subbase, and a barrier flan e extending from the second step, said ange having openings therein through which conducting wires are adapted to pass for connection 'to said securing means. 4

7.- In combination, `a master base, angle irons secured to the corners thereof, a subbasc su ported on said master base and havinga s otted barrier fiange rising from one endthereof, abarrier lining secured to opposite anule irons and overlying said barrier eange, a us-bar supported on thesubbase, a

switch base supported onthe subbase and overlying the'bus-bar, and a post terminal on the subbase adjacent said slotted barrier fla-nge and in line with a slot therein.

i 8. In combination, a master base, angle irons secured to the corners thereof, a suhbase supported on said master base and having a. slotted barrierl flange lrising from one end thereof, a barrier'lining securedto opposite' angle irons ahd overlying said iange, a bus-bar supported on the subbase, a switch base supported on the subbasc and overlying the bus-bar, a ost terminal on the subbase adjacent said s otted barrier iange. and in line with a slot therein, and a switch hase vmounted on said subbase and having fusesupporting means opposite the post terminal.

9. In combination, a master base, a plu- 'rality of common subbases mounted side-by side in definite positions on the master baseV and adapted tok be interchanged thereon, a bus-bar extending transversely ofl the subbases, a'switch base adapted for securement to Aany one of the common subbases and overlying the *bus-bar, each of j said subbases being constructed to form a shoulderv at a, distance from one of its ends against accerta which a part of the switch base is adapted.

to abut, and fuse-terminal supporting means at the adjacent ends ot." the subbase and the switch base in a plane above the top of the switch base. j

. 10. In an electric control panel, the combination of subb'ase having abutmentsnear each end, a plurailty of bus-bars on the suhbase between said abutments, a pair of oppositely disposed switch bases in engagement with the respective abutments on the subbase, the adjacent ends of the switch bases overlying different bus-bars, an opening in each ,switch base throughwhich contact may be .made with the underlying busbar, and fuse-tern'iinal supporting means at the other ends of said switch bases and near the ends of the subbase.

11. In an elect-ric control panel, the combination of a suhbase, a bus-bar, a switch hase mounted on saidV subbase and overlying the bus-bar, said sub-base being constructed to form. ay shoulder against which the switch base abuts, a step on the `switch base at thatv end which abutsagainst said shoulder, fuse-supporting means mounted on the last named step, and fuse-supporting means mounted on the subbase at a point spaced from the fuse supporting mea-ns on the switch base and on the same plane therewith.

1Q. In an electric control panel, the coinbination with a master base, ot a subbase having a channel with stepped sides, a plurality of bus-bars supported on the base in the channel, and a pair of oppositely disposed srwitch bases in abutting relation with -the lower steps of the channel, each switch lbase overlying one bus-bar.

13. In an electric control panel, the combination with a master base, ot a s-ubbase having a channel with stepped sides, a plurality of bus-bars supported on the base in thechannel, a pair of oppositely disposed switch bases in abutting relation with vthe lower steps ot the. channel, cach switch base overlying one bus-bar, each said switch bases having an'opening to expose the underlying bus-bar, and electrical connections mounted on the switch bases to permit electrical contact to be made with the underlying bus-bar.

14. In an electric control panel, the combination with aA master base, of a subbase having achannelwith stepped sides, a plurality of bus-bars supported on the base in the channel, a fpair of oppositely disposed switch bases in abutting relation with the lower steps of the channel, each switch base `overlying one bus-bar, fuse-and-wire-securing means mounted on the uppermost steps of the subbase, and fuse-and-switch contacts mounted on the switch bases in spaced relation to said means.

15. In an electric control panel, the combination with a master base, of a subbase llt) having a channel with stepped Sides, a plurality of bus-bars supported on the base in the channel, a pair of oppositely disposed switch bases in abutting relation with the lower steps of the channel, each switch base overlying one` bus-bar, fuse-and-wire-secur- 1G. In an electric control panel, the com' bination with a master base, ot' a. subbase having steps risingl from one end thereof, a switch base supported on the subbase and having' a step at one end thereof on a level with the uppermost step on the .subbasc and defining therewith a channel, and contact-making means on the steps on either side of said channel.

17. In an electric controlpanel, the cornbination with a master base, of a subbase having steps rising from one end thereof, al switch base supported on the subbase and having a step at one e d thereof on a level with the uppermost step on the subbase defining therewith a channel, contact-making means on the steps on either side of said channel, and a bus-bar between said bases.

18. In an electric control panel, the com bination of a sub-base having a raised step at one end thereof, a switch base havinga raised step at one end thereof and positioned on the sub-base to bring said steps' opposite but spaced from each other, fuse contacts on said steps and a fuse connecting said contacts.`

19. In an electric control panel, the com- 40 bination of a sub-base having a raised step at one end thereof, a switch base having a raised step at one end thereof and positioned on the sub-base to bring' said steps opposite but spaced from each other, fuse contacts on said steps, a fuse connecting said contacts, and a cover over said panel having therein a door over said fuse.

20. In an electric control panel, the coinbination of a `sub-base having a raised ste at one end thereof, a plurality of switci bases eachv having a raised step at one end thereof and positioned on the sub-base to bring their steps opposite but spaced from the sub-base step, fuse contacts on said steps, fuses connecting said contacts, and a cover plate over the switch bases terminating near the inner ends of the fuses.

21. In an electric control panel, the cornbination of a sub-base having a raised step at one end thereof, a plurality of switch bases each having a raised step at one end thereof and positioned on the sub-base to bring their steps opposite but spaced from the sub-base step, fuse contacts on .said steps, fuses connecting said contacts, a cover plate over the switch bases terminating near the inner ends of the fuses, and a cover over said panel having therein a door over said fuses.

AIn witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 21st day of February, 1921.

i, BENJAMIN GROSS.

. ROBERT A. GELLER. 

